School board OKs design contracts

The Whitefish School Board has approved contracts for a redesign of a portion of the Whitefish High School building.

The contracts are for the D wing of the building. Included in area are the current music classrooms that will be remodeled, a new media arts classroom and a multi-purpose theatre/lecture hall that will accommodate about 200 people.

Jackola Engineering & Architecture will provide architectural services for about $38,000. DLR Group will provide various engineering services for the design at a cost of almost $16,000.

An anonymous donation will pay for all the design work, according to Dow Powell, the district’s construction consultant. The donation also includes paying for sound and technology consultants.

Resource officer

The school board approved a memorandum of understanding with the city of Whitefish for a school resource officer position for the school district. Under the agreement the city and the school district will share the cost of salary for the officer.

A grant will provide a portion of the officer’s salary and benefits for three years. The city and district have agreed to split the remaining costs for the officer for the next four years. Over the time period, the city will contribute about $160,000 and the district will pay $118,000.